Ancient sites

Eleftherna
The most interesting archaeological site to visit in the province. The city of Eleftherna was built on a fortified hillock, surrounded by two rivers. We can view its ruins from either "Ancient Eleftherna" village or from "Eleftherna" village.

Sivritos
The remains of the ancient city can be visited from "Thronos" village.

Axos
The ruins of the ancient city can be visited from the village of the same name.

Lappa
The ruins of the ancient city, which is being excavated in sections, can be visited from "Argiroupoli" village.

Armeni
The YMIII tombs ditches at the cemetery can be in a distance of 1 km north of Armeni village.

Monastiraki
The excavation of the Minoan section can he visited from the village of the same name.

Monasteries

Many monasteries in Rethymnon province have been saved. Of these the ones that can be visited are the following:

The Monastery of Arkadi
The most significant monastery of Rethymnon. It is situated 23 km from the town and is built overlooking three districts. Established in the 14th or 15th century, it constituted an important revolutionary centre during the Turkish occupation. The martyrdom of its defenders in 1866 made it well-known. The monastery is built around a central courtyard with the cathedral situated in the centre. It is a good example of Cretan Renaissance architecture. The Arkadi Monastery also has an interesting museum.


Preveli
This monastery is comprised of two separate building complexes which are 3 km apart. The coastal "back monastery" can be visited and houses a heirloom museum.

Arsani monastery
In comparison, a small but lively, monastery. Its museum exhibits icons from churches of the Rethymnon province, a few of which belong to the "Cretan School".

Bali monastery
A well preserved monastery whose cathedral has a facade dating back to the first half of the 17th century with Renaissance characteristics.

Churches

Visariou Basilica
A basilica of three slopes of the first Byzantine period near the village of Vizari. Its ruins are well preserved and are still visible.

Panormou Basilica
Crete's best known early Christian temple, 500 m north west of the village of Panormo.

St. John of Gerakari
A cluster of isolated churches which was transformed in three construction stages. It has interesting wall frescoes.

Virgin of Lambrini
An interesting church in its entirety with decorative frescoes (two phases).

Virgin of Miriokephalo
Cathedral, one of the oldest monasteries of Crete with frescoes from two periods.

Virgin of Thronos
Church built on an earlier one with mosaics and frescoes from two periods.

St. John Episkopi Milopotamos
Near the borders of Rethymnon and Iraklion provinces, the small village of Episkopi has an interesting semi-ruined cathedral.

St. George Apodoulou
Cathedral of a monastery which is no longer standing, with very interesting frescoes.


Venetian and Turkish monuments

Fraggokastello
A Venetian Castle with its own ghost story

Fort of Monapari
Close to the village of Monopari on a steep hill, the Venetian castle ruins have survived.

Fort of Kastri
On a hill above the Village of Kastri, ruins of the Venetian castle can be seen

Amantou gate
Written on a frieze on the interesting village gate is the inscription "The beginning of wisdom is fear of God".

Mountrous mansion
Venetian mansion with an impressive gate and an inscription from Virgil's "Aenead"

Clodio mansion of Chromonastiri
Agricultural mansion belonging to a wealthy Venetian family of Rethymnon.

Turkish lower of Maroula
Two towers with characteristic fortress architecture in one of the province's most traditional villages.



The Villages of Rethymnon


Anogia is a small town built at an altitude of 750 m on Mt Psiloritis. It was often burned down in the past by its conquerors before being levelled in 1944. It offers rooms to rent, restaurants, a folklore museum and shops selling woven products.

Argiroupoli
Built on the ruins of ancient Lappa, Argiroupoli keeps its traditional character. You can enjoy the greenery of the village, can stay in farmhouses and dine in the cool leafy area of "Aghia Dynami", directly north of the village.

Margarites
A village with a great tradition in pottery making, and classic examples of traditional Cretan architecture. There are facilities to stay and dine.

Bali
Small fishing village which developed with tourism. Apart from enjoying the basic services which are offered, you can enjoy the crystal clear sea and visit the monastery of St. John.

Aghia Galini
Old fishing village which has spread with tourism, situated on the south coast, between the borders of Rethymnon and Iraklion provinces. Apart from the basic services and the beautiful sea, you will enjoy boat trips along the coast which start from here.

Spili A picturesque small village in the heart of beautiful province




Popular Art

Always alive in many parts of the Rethymnon Province.

Pottery making thrives at Margarites with traditional as well as modern practical products.

In neighbouring Alpha, the art of stone cutting refuses to die out.

In Mixorrouma, many inhabitants still weave baskets, so do people in Argiroupoli.

In Anogia, many woven products are produced on the traditional loom while traditional popular artists display their skills.

In Argiroupoli, Agios Konstantinos and Margarites, there are many interesting wood carving workshops.

A small folklore museum in Langa gives an indicative picture of popular art products which were used in work and everyday life.



Areas of Natural Beauty

Preveli gorge
The gorge, as well as the mouth of the Great River, the famous Preveli Lake, constitute one of the most beautiful areas in the province and in the whole of Crete. Make a visit to this area a first priority when you are in Rethymnon.

Patsos gorge
Impressive in its vegetation whose walls contain numerous caves.

Prassano gorge
A miniature of the Samaria gorge.

Kourtaliotiko and Kotsifou
Awesome, wild gorges.

Agia Dynami in Argiroupoli
A huge mass of mountain water gushes from the cave, in which lies the church of Aghia Dynami.

The beaches of Rodakino "Korakas", Akoumia "Triopetra"
Two of the most beautiful beaches on the island.

Nida plateau
Extensive plateau in the mountain area of Psiloritis. The cave reputed to be the place where Zeus was brought up, as well as the interesting "mitata": mud structures which are used as shepherd's quarters.



Caves

The province of Rethymnon is littered with caves and other fortified natural formations. None of these however are easy to get to and the visitor, apart from the required experience, would be advised to arrange equipment and a source of light.

The Sentoni Zoniana cave
In terms of natural beauty, this is the most spectacular cave in Crete. It has 14 chambers and is 145 m long.

The Melidoni cave
This cave has 6 chambers and is 140 m long. It was used in Minoan times. In 1893, 370 people died tragically in the cave, besieged by the occupying Turkish army.

The Idaio Andro cave
The cave where the legendary Zeus was brought up. Numerous ancient discoveries have been found in successful excavations, which suggest human use of the cave from Neolithic to early Christian times.

The Gerani cave
Small but impressive in its natural beauty. It cannot, however, be visited by the public.

The "Ghost-cave"
In Prinos, one of the most beautiful caves of Crete, whose access is extremely difficult.



The Museums of Rethymnon

The archaeological museum
Antiques of the Rethymnon prefecture from Neolithic to Roman years are on display. The exhibits are organized in chronological order. Of particular interest is the "filter compass" with the plant decoration, the "teeth-bordered helmet" and the coin collection. The archaeological museum is open every day except Monday.

The historical and folklore museum.
Weaving art and techniques are on display, as well as traditional embroidered examples of national and regional costumes, lace, basket-weaving and ceramic art, traditional farming and harvesting tools. The folklore museum is open every day except Sunday.

Kanakakis' modern art gallery.
Works of the Rethymnian artist L. Kanakakis are on display, as well as a collection of representative works of modern Greek painting. The art gallery is open every day except Monday.

The Marine Museum
The largest part of the exhibits are made up of shells, while a few vertebrates, sponges and fish are also on display. The museum is open every day, except Sunday and Monday.

The Eleni Franzeskaki collection
Traditional textiles, embroidery, lace and jewellery are on display. The collection is open every day except Monday.

The ecclesiastical museum
Sacred utensils, garments and objects of worship of the last 150 years are exhibited. The ecclesiastic museum is open every day.